Chicago the Musical Broadway Revival Original Cast Recording CD

CHICAGO, the 1975 masterpiece by John Kander and Fred Ebb, was originally conceived as a musical by director-choreographer-muse Bob Fosse, with whom they had turned the world on its ear nine years earlier with CABARET. Like CABARET, this Weill-esque vaudeville is presented as a sort of variety show, complete with emcee. It tells the tale of two wily murderesses vying for media attention during the '20s, and as the two ladies in question, Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking give brilliant performances in this 1997 revival.

Reinking's nervous energy takes the role of Roxie Hart to a new level. Neuwirth, as Velma Kelly, gets to exercise not only her vocal abilities but her comic skills as well, particularly in the one-woman tour de force, "I Can't Do It Alone." James Naughton is wonderfully glib as an opportunistic lawyer, especially in "Razzle Dazzle" and the Busby Berkeley parody, "All I Care About." The legendary Joel Grey brings humor, pathos, and real depth to the role of Roxie's sad sack husband, Amos. Outstanding numbers include "Cell Block Tango" and "Class," in which Velma and the prison warden (sung by Marcia Lewis) hilariously bemoan the decline of morals and social graces.

Track Listing:

1. Overture
2. All That Jazz
3. Funny Honey
4. Cell Block Tango
5. Marcia Lewis
6. All I Care About
7. A Little Bit of Good
8. We Both Reached for the Gun
9. Roxie
10. I Can't Do It Alone
11. I Can't Do It Alone (Reprise)
12. My Own Best Friend
13. Entr'Acte
14. I know a Girl
15. Me and My Baby
16. Mister Cellophane
17. When Velma Takes the Stand
18. Razzle Dazzle
19. Class
20. Nowadays
21. Hot Honey Rag
22. Finale